St-Hubert, Desjardins won't cut ties with Montreal Canadiens amid Logan Mailloux draft controversy
Groupe St-Hubert says it will "continue its longstanding association" with the Montreal Canadiens despite the controversy surrounding the team's decision to draft Logan Mailloux, who pleaded guilty to sexual crimes in Sweden.
"We appreciate that [Canadiens owner] Mr. Molson took responsibility for the decision and apologized for it," Josée Vaillancourt, director of communications, told CTV News. "We continue to disapprove [of] any acts of abuse and reprehensible behaviour, regardless of a person’s status in society.”
Groupe St-Hubert says it is "confident" that the Canadiens will put its action plan in place "and we hope that this will lead to positive results."
On Thursday, Desjardins Group said it is maintaining its relationship with the team after publicly questioning the Habs' decision to draft 18-year-old Logan Mailloux.
Desjardins said in a statement it is satisfied with the sincerity of Molson's apology.
A 'MISTAKE'
Wednesday, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the team's decision to draft defenceman Mailloux.
"I understand that you expect more from us and we let you down," he said. "The Montreal Canadiens are more than a hockey team. Logan's actions do not reflect the values of our organization and I apologize for the pain this selection has caused."
The 18-year-old was fined by a Swedish court for "offensive photography that violates privacy" and "defamation."
The crime, to which he has admitted, involved taking a photo during a sexual encounter with a woman last year, without her knowledge, and sharing it "with teammates without her consent to impress them." He was a minor at the time.
Molson states over the next few months, the Habs plan to raise awareness and educate young men and young women about the importance of consent.
"Shame on me for not considering the victim and shame on me for not considering the number of people who were affected by my decision," Molson said. "We will support and oversee Logan's commitment to becoming a better person."
In Canada, a person can face imprisonment of up to five years for knowingly sharing intimate images without consent.
As a result, Mailloux will not be participating in upcoming training camps this fall.
"Being a player in the NHL is a privilege that is earned, not a right that is granted," Molson said, offering his sympathies to the victim and her family. "As the year progresses, we will reassess Logan's readiness to be part of our organization."
Other sponsors, including Jean Coutu Group, have come out to say they are reviewing their relationship with the team.
Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concerns about the pick, saying he was "deeply disappointed."
Mailloux was in Sweden, on loan from the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, at the time of the incident.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman